Another week, how time flies!

Family!

 

I just want to start with a disclaimer that I am printing emails this week and will read and report back next week :) So much to read and share and so little time to do it.

Okay first off I can't believe Jacob is home. I can just imagine the lunch at their home with him playing the piano. Oh it's still weird that Jaden and I aren't there. Crazy how fast life moves on. I got a letter from the YW stake presidency of the YCL's from girls camp and wrote Sister Spriggs back a thank you card for it.

 

Highlights from this week:

 

We had a FHE with a Chilean family Monday night. Their little 3 year old boy was talking about superheros so we asked him who is favorite superhero is. He smiled and replied, "My daddy!" It was easily the cutest thing ever!

 

One of our Zone Leaders, Elder Patuaka, had his 20th birthday this week and we had a big dinner at the Ward Mission Leaders home with a massive chocolate cake to finish off the night. Every time we called them with a question or for permission for something we sang a different primary birthday song when they answered the phone. He said he felt more love on this birthday than he had in a long time. It was awesome to make his day special.

 

Bobkie blessed the sacrament for the first time on Sunday! It was the greatest thing to hear him bless the water for it to be passed to the congregation. He originally was just going to sit up there this week and then bless when he got more comfortable but he just went right ahead and took the opportunity. He is an amazing kid. His dad was our other miracle this week. We have been praying that Bobkie and Malad's dad would be more interested in hearing the message of the restored gospel but he was just never home. WELL, we went over last Friday to talk to Bobkie, Malad, and Blessing and there was their dad Bobby laying on the couch. He had been home sick from work for 3 days and was still ill. We quickly called the Elders and they came over straight away to give him a blessing. The spirit was so strong that you could have cut it with a knife. After the blessing we talked about the priesthood for a bit and then it lead to baptism and how Bobkie now holds that priesthood and what not. I ended up extending the baptismal invitation and he accepted! He said that he wants to come to church and learn more before he completely accepts but that he is willing to learn and progress towards baptism. It was amazing! We asked Bobkie what it would mean to him to have his dad be baptized and he said, "It would be an answer to a lot of my prayers." He had an ear to ear grin on his face when we asked his dad to be baptized and his comment brought me to tears. I haven't felt so much love, happiness, spirit, and peace in one living room in a long time. It was amazing. Then this morning before coming to email we went over (we took time out of our p-day) to have a lesson with Bobby. We taught him the restoration in it's fullness and he just clicked with it. He said that it makes sense that there needs to be a prophet and he talked about how in the Bible the priesthood had to be passed down from person to person and that when we showed him the picture of Peter James and John giving Joseph the priesthood that it just made sense. It was amazing! I couldn't believe how well he just accepted everything. We invited him to be baptized on the 31st of August and he said that we would work towards that date. We left in awe. I love being a missionary. People are prepared to hear this message!!! It could be someone you talk to at the store, park or wherever! Missionary work is the greatest thing on the planet.

 

My last tender mercy for this week happened last night. President called our companionship the other day and asked if we would come with him to the Stake YSA Sunday fireside to help him with his talk. Of course we agreed and went. We walked into the church and started looking around for President. We made our way to the gym where everyone was waiting for the fireside to start. We had been standing by the door for literally 20 seconds when I hear, "Sister Beckstrand!!!" and see one of the YSA guys booking it from the other side of the gym to come say hi. It was Mike Hawkins who when I met him was ELDER Hawkins. Mike was the Elder serving in my YSA ward in Washington when I got my mission call to come here. He said he had been asking his Elders in his ward if they knew where I was serving. It was so neat to see a familiar face and know that someone had been waiting to see me here in Australia. It was fun to catch up with him for a bit. He is working and getting ready to start Uni (college). The Lord definitely watches out for His missionaries. Just seeing someone you know half way around the world can make your day so much brighter. He lives in a completely different zone than I serve so I was surprised to see him there.

 

This work is amazing. I know the Lord is mindful of all of his children and loves each of us more than we could ever know. I pray for you all everyday and love getting letters from Ben and David and emails and letters from Sophie and Josh. You are the greatest siblings a missionary could ask for. I love you all!

 

Sister Shayne :)